Garment with Integrated Belt Member

ABSTRACT

A garment with an integrated belt. The garment includes a top bottom, front, a first side portion, second side, and rear portions. The belt is attached to the garment and includes: a belt member having front, first rear, and second rear portions, and a belt fastener connected to the first rear portion of the belt member. The front portion of the belt member is attached to at least one of the front portion, first side portion and second side portion, of the garment, at one or more attachment regions, such that the front portion of the belt member is unable to move relative to the garment. In a fastened configuration, the belt fastener connects the first rear portion of the belt member to the second rear portion of the belt member, and the belt fastener is located adjacent to the rear portion of the garment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claimspriority to, U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/719,740 filed on Jan.7, 2020, entitled “Garment with Integrated Gait Belt,” which is acontinuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/364,072 filed on Mar. 25, 2019, entitled“Garment with Integrated Gait Belt member”, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to patient assistanceapparatuses, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, a garmentthat is configured to be worn by an individual in need of ambulatoryassistance wherein the garment includes at least one integrated beltmember that is configured to be engaged by an individual assisting theuser wearing the garment.

BACKGROUND

As is known in the art, patients and other individuals in certainphysical condition require assistance during walking. By way of example,but not limitation, post-surgical patients and geriatric patients may bein need of an assistant that is either actively engaged with them orproximate thereto when attempting to walk. Occupational therapists,physical therapists and nurses will engage patients in various physicalroutines as part of a rehabilitation program. During these therapies,the patient is often required to demonstrate execution of variousactivities such as, but not limited to, walking or balancing functions.As the patient performs these activities the therapist must oftenmaintain a close proximity to the patient to either assist or ensuresafety if the patient begins to fall.

During assistance of a patient, it can be difficult for a therapist orother individual to properly grasp either the patient or the patient'sclothes in order to provide the necessary assistance. Grasping a bodylimb such as, but not limited to, an arm may not be desirable for atherapist due to the condition of the patient or the lack of properleverage. Positioning of the therapist is also a consideration. It maybe beneficial for a therapist or person assisting the patient to bebehind the patient as opposed to being in front of or towards theirside. When a therapist is behind the patient, there is often little tograsp and/or leverage except for the clothes being worn by a patient.Grasping of the clothes or other body parts may be undesirable andpotentially present risks to both the patient and the therapists.

Further, after assisting a patient wearing a gait belt into a seated orprone position, the gait belt can put pressure on a back side of thepatient, causing discomfort. It is intended within the scope of thepresent invention to provide a garment having at least one integratedbelt member wherein the belt member provides an engagement point for anindividual assisting the wearer of the garment in order to providephysical assistance to the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment that isconfigured to provide an individual at least one engagement point inorder to provide assistance to the wearer of the garment, wherein thegarment includes a body that is configured to be worn on the torso ofthe wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garment,wherein the garment includes at least one belt member that is mountedcircumferentially to the garment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment thatis configured to provide an individual at least one engagement point inorder to provide assistance to the wearer of the garment wherein the atleast one belt member includes attachment points on opposing sides ofthe garment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garmentwherein the at least one belt member forms a void intermediate the atleast one belt member and the rear of the garment.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a garmentthat is configured to provide an individual at least one engagementpoint in order to provide assistance to the wearer of the garmentwherein the belt member includes an end member that is configured with afastener.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garmentwherein the belt member includes a portion adjacent to the front of thegarment wherein the portion includes a plurality of connection membersformed thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to a provide a garment thatis configured to provide an individual at least one engagement point inorder to provide assistance to the wearer of the garment wherein theconnection members and the end member have mateable fasteners.

An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garmentwherein an alternative embodiment of the garment includes the necessarystructural components to facilitate the belt member being movable andsecurable in alternate locations on the garment.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a garmentthat is configured to provide an individual at least one engagementpoint in order to provide assistance to the wearer of the garmentwherein the end member of the belt member is secured to one of theconnection members in order to provide adjustment for size.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garmentwherein an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes atleast one vertical belt member configured to provide an additionalengagement point for a person assisting the wearer of the garment of thepresent invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a garment thatis configured to provide an individual at least one engagement point inorder to provide assistance to the wearer of the garment, wherein apreferred embodiment of the garment of the present invention isstructured similarly to a hospital gown.

An alternative objective of the present invention is to provide agarment configured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operableto facilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of thegarment wherein a portion of the belt member can be moved intermediate astored position and a deployed position.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a garmentthat is configured to provide an individual at least one engagementpoint in order to provide assistance to the wearer of the garment,wherein the belt member of the present invention facilitates assistingthe wearer of the garment from the rear.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a garmentconfigured to be worn on the torso of the user that is operable tofacilitate utilization by a person assisting the wearer of the garmentwherein portions of the belt member can be circumferentially secured toany position on the garment, including on a front of the garment.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the presentinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of thepresent invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had byreference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is rear view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention with thebelt member in a stored position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention withthe belt member in a stored position;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of an end member of the belt member and aconnection member;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention with the belt member ina deployed position;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the end member of the belt member securedto a connection member;

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of a gait belt, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of a garment-with-gait-belt,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A is a rear perspective view of a gait belt, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view of a garment-with-gait-belt,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10A is a front view of a gait belt, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 10B is a front view of a garment-with-gait-belt, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11A is a rear view of a gait belt, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 11B is a rear view of a garment-with-gait-belt, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12A is a left-side view of a gait belt, according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 12B is a left-side view of a garment-with-gait-belt, according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13A is a right-side view of a gait belt, according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 13B is a right-side view of a garment-with-gait-belt, according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14A is a front perspective view of a gait belt on a garment on apatient, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14B is a front perspective view of a garment-with-gait-belt on apatient, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a garment-with-gait-belt in an unfastenedconfiguration; and

FIG. 16 is a front view of a garment-with-gait-belt in an unfastenedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein variouselements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and whereinthrough the views and figures like elements are referenced withidentical reference numerals, there is illustrated agarment-with-an-integrated-gait-belt 100 (referred to asgarment-with-gait-belt 100 or garment-with-belt 100) constructedaccording to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein withreference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the detailed description herein with respect tothese figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention that alternative embodimentsare plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, thosehaving skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the presentinvention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitableapproaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application toimplement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyondthat of the particular implementation choices in the embodimentdescribed herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within thescope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, materials, uses and applicationsdescribed herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit thescope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein andin the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the pluralreference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or moreelements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in theart. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusivesense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having thedefinition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusiveor” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structuresdescribed herein are to be understood also to refer to functionalequivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed toexpress approximation should be so understood unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplaryembodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include particular feature, structure orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure or characteristic.

Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, includingFIGS. 1 and 2, the garment-with-gait-belt 100 includes a body 10 that isconstructed to be worn by a user on the torso thereof. The body 10 ismanufactured from a suitable durable cloth material and is constructedsimilarly to a conventional hospital gown wherein the rear 11 of thebody 10, in an embodiment, includes edges or seams 12, which in anembodiment, and as depicted, are non-joining seams. In an embodiment,edges or seams 12 define a vertically-extending gap G. The body 10includes arm apertures 13,14 and in an embodiment is manufactured of asuitable length so as to extend to approximately the mid-thigh region ofa user. It should be understood within the scope of the presentinvention that the body 10 could be manufactured in alternate sizes soas to accommodate different size users.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the garment-with-gait-belt 100 includesa belt member 20. The belt member 20 is configured to provide anengagement point or points for an individual that is wearing thegarment-with-gait-belt 100. The belt member 20 is circumferentiallydisposed on the body 10 and is manufactured from a suitable durablematerial such as, but not limited to, a synthetic polymer, such asnylon, or a natural material, such as cotton. Synthetic materials andpolymers may provide a benefit over natural materials, in that syntheticmaterials have a lower elasticity and are limited in the amount thatthey stretch when subjected to a pulling force.

The belt member 20 includes a first portion 22, which may be a frontportion, and a second portion 24, which may be a rear portion, whereinin an embodiment, the first portion 22 and second portion 24 arecontiguously formed. The first portion 22 is adjacent to, and may besecured to, the front 9 of the body 10 utilizing suitable durabletechniques such as but not limited to stitching. In an embodiment, thefirst portion 22 is secured to the front 9 of the body 10 in a mannerwherein no void or space is intermediate the first portion 22 and thebody 10. In another embodiment, the first portion 22 may be attached atone or more locations to front portion 22, or at sides of body 10,forming one or more voids or spaces intermediate the first portion 22and the body 10.

The first portion 22 functions as a point of leverage during use of thegarment-with-gait-belt 100. As is further discussed herein, in anembodiment, the second portion 24 of the belt member 20 provides one ormore engagement points for an individual assisting the wearer of thegarment-with-gait-belt 100 and during use thereof the first portion 22of the belt member 20 and its secured position provides leverage forassistance of the user.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, the first portion 22of the belt member 20 includes a plurality of connection members 30integrally formed thereon. The connection members 30 are verticallyoriented on the first portion 22 extending intermediate the upperperipheral edge 27 and lower peripheral edge 28. The connection members30 are secured to the first portion 22 utilizing suitable durabletechniques such as but not limited to stitching or chemical adhesion.The connection members 30 include a fastener 35 that is configured to bemateably secured to the fastener 45 on the end 50 of the second portion24. In an embodiment the fasteners 35, 45 are zippers but it iscontemplated within the scope of the present invention that thefasteners 35, 45 could be formed from alternate elements such as, butnot limited to, snaps or hook and loop material. It is furthercontemplated within the scope of the present invention that the firstportion 22 could have present thereon as few as one connection member 30or a plurality of connection members 30.

The second portion 24 of the belt member 20 is movable intermediate afirst position and a second position. FIG. 4 herein illustrates thesecond portion 24 in its first position. In the first position, thesecond portion 24 of the belt member 20 is placed such that it isgenerally adjacent the first portion 22. In the first position thesecond portion 24 does not extend around the rear 11 of the body 10. Thesecond portion 24 of the belt member 20 is releasably secured in itsfirst position utilizing suitable materials such as but not limited tohook and loop material (not particularly illustrated herein).

The second position of the second portion 24 of the belt member 20 isillustrated herein in FIGS. 2 and 6 herein. In the second position ofthe second portion 24 the second portion 24 is circumferentiallyextended around the body 10 wherein end member 50 is secured to one ofthe connection members 30. The second portion 24 has a void 60intermediate the rear 11 of the body 10. The void 60 extendssubstantially across the rear 11 of the body intermediate the opposingattachment points 71,72. In an embodiment, attachment points 71 and 72are opposite one another, each at a side of the body 10, at the pointwhere the front 9 and rear 11 meet. In another embodiment, attachmentpoints 71 and 72 may be offset slightly so that an attachment point 71,72 is on the front 9 or rear 11. In the depicted embodiment, attachmentpoint 71 is located at the point where front 9 and rear 11 meet, andattachment point 72 is shifted slightly to be attached to front 9.Having the attachment points 71, 72 at the points where front 9 meetsrear 11, or on front 9 only avoids attachment points being on rear 11 ofthe garment, which may provide certain benefits as described below, andwhich includes increasing comfort to the patient when in a proneposition on their back.

The void 60 provides an individual assisting a user wearing thegarment-with-gait-belt 100 with access to belt member 20, includingsecond belt portion 24. The location of the void 60 and thepositioning/attachment of the first portion 22 provides the leverageneeded for the individual assisting the wearer of thegarment-with-gait-belt 100.

While the garment-with-gait-belt 100 is illustrated herein as having onebelt member 20, it is contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention that the garment-with-gait-belt 100 could have more than onebelt member 20 circumferentially disposed around the body 10. For theaforementioned, the additional belt members could be located above orbelow the belt member 20 illustrated herein. It is additionallycontemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10could be configured to provide vertical movement of the belt member 20wherein the belt member 20 could be transitioned intermediate desiredpositions on the body and subsequently secured in place. Those skilledin the art will understand that various alternate elements could beutilized to achieve the aforementioned movable function of the beltmember 20.

Illustrated herein in FIG. 2, the garment-with-gait-belt 100 includessecondary belt members 80, 85. Secondary belt members 80, 85 are presentin order to provide additional leverage and engagement points for anindividual assisting a user wearing the garment-with-gait-belt 100. Inan embodiment, the secondary belt members 80,85 are manufactured from asimilar material as belt member 20. The secondary belt members 80, 85extend intermediate the upper peripheral edge 27 of the first portion 22and the upper peripheral edge 87 of the second portion 24. The secondarybelt members 80,85 are secured to the body 10 in the front 9 thereofutilizing suitable durable techniques. A void 89 is present intermediatethe rear 11 of the body and the secondary belt members 80, 85 whereinthe void 89 provides an engagement point for an individual assisting awearer of the garment-with-gait-belt 100. While two secondary beltmembers 80,85 are illustrated herein, it is contemplated within thescope of the present invention that the garment with gait belt 100 couldbe provided with no secondary belt members 80,85 or only one secondarybelt members 80,85.

While the body 10 of the garment-with-gait-belt 100 has been illustratedherein as being formed to be worn on the torso of the wearer, it iscontemplated within the scope of the present invention that thegarment-with-gait-belt 100 could be formed as alternate styles ofclothing in order to be donned on different parts of the body such asbut not limited to the lower part of a wearer's body.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 14B, another embodiment of agarment-with-gait-belt is depicted. In this embodiment,garment-with-gait-belt 200 includes gait belt 202 attached to garment204. Garment-with-gait-belt 200 is depicted in a first, orclosed-garment/fastened configuration, i.e., a position in which gaitbelt 202 is wrapped about a patient 206 with ends joined together tofrom a closed loop about garment 204. Garment-with-gait-belt 200 mayalso be configured in a first or fastened configuration, i.e., aposition in which gait belt 202 is not fastened, cinched or closed, asdescribed in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 15-17.

For the sake of illustrative clarity, FIGS. 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, 12A, 13Aand 14A depict only garment belt 202, with only a dashed-line outline ofgarment 204 depicted; FIGS. 8B, 9B, 10B, 11B, 12B, 13B, and 14B depictedgarment-with-gait-belt 200, including gait belt 202 and garment 204.FIGS. 14A and 14B depict a patient or user 206 weargarment-wit-gait-belt 200, with patient 206 depicted in dashed lines forillustration purposes.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, in an embodiment, andas depicted, gait belt 202 includes a belt member 206 and fastener 208.Gait belt 202, including belt member 206, is attached to garment 204.

Garment 204, in an embodiment, is substantially similar to the garmentwith body portion 10 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7. In theembodiment depicted, garment 204 includes body portion 210 with frontbody portion 209, rear body portion 211, top portion 213 and portion215. Garment 204, in an embodiment, also includes sleeves 212, includingleft sleeve 212 a and right sleeve 212 b.

Front body portion 209 and rear body portion 211 meet at garment bodysides 214 a (left side) and 214 b (right side). Top portion 213 withfront and rear body portions 209 and 211, define head opening 216.

In an embodiment, front portion 209 defines a front portion 216 a ofhead opening 216 and rear portion 211 defines a rear portion 216 b ofhead opening 216. More specifically, head opening 216 is defined by agarment head opening perimeter 227. Perimeter 227 is formed by top-frontedge 229 having first edge 229 a and second edge 229 b, and by firsttop-rear edge 231 a and second top-rear edge 231 b. In an embodiment,top-front edge 229 forming front portion 216 a in a shape that isdifferent than a shape of formed by top-rear edge 231. In the depictedexample, top-front edge 229 forms a “V” shape, and top-rear edge 231forms an arcuate or semi-circular shape.

Garment bottom portion 215 defines bottom opening 217, through which apatient's legs may extend.

In an embodiment, front body portion 209 of garment 204 substantiallycomprises a single panel devoid of openings or gaps that would allow apatient to put on garment 204 in a rear-to-front manner (opposite to howone would put on a known, typical front-button-down shirt). In otherwords, garment 204 is a rear-opening garment, not a front-openinggarment, and is a garment that generally requires assistance infastening.

Referring to 9B, 10B, and 11B, rear body portion 211 includes first orleft rear edge 218 a on rear-portion left side 219 a and second or rightrear edge 218 b on rear-portion right side 219 b. rear-portion rightside 219 b may be configured to be folded over rear-portion left side219 b, or vice versa. First and second edges 218 a, 218 b extendcontinuously from garment top portion 213 to garment bottom portion 215,such that rear body portion 211 may be “opened” so that patient 206 maydon garment 204 with gait belt 202, by inserting arms into and throughopenings defined by sleeves 212 a and 212 b. In an embodiment, whenplaced on, or worn by, a user 206, and as depicted, first edge 218 a ison the outside of garment 204, and second edge 218 b is on an insideedge. The relative position of edges 218 a and 218 b may change with thesize of the garment, and fitment of garment 204 on patient 206. In anembodiment, edges 218 a and 218 b may be spaced apart, leaving a gap G,similar to gap G depicted in FIG. 1.

As described above, garment 204 is thusly configured to open or close ata rear portion 211 of garment 204, rather than at a front portion 209 ofgarment 204.

Garment 204 may vary in relative length and width to accommodatepatients of varying sizes, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7.

Belt member 206 of belt 202 wraps around body portion 210 of garment204, and includes first or front portion 222, second or rear portion224, and side portions 226. Rear portion 224 includes outer side 225 andinner side 227 (see also FIG. 16). Side portions 226 include first orleft side portion 226 a and second or right side portion 226 b. Sideportions 226 a and 226 b are generally between front and rear portions209 and 211 of body portion 210, such that they are located on the sidesof the garments, near a patient's hip area when the garment is worn. Itwill be understood that “side” portions 226 a and 226 b may each includeportions of front and rear portions 209 and 211 in the respective leftand right regions where the front and rear portions 209 and 211 meet.

Further, it will be understood that “rear portion” 224 of belt member206 may comprise first or left portions 224 a and second or rightportions 224 b, having respective first and second belt ends 230 a and230 b. In an embodiment, and as described further below with respect toFIGS. 15 and 16, rear portion 224 may include belt-member fasteners 252near belt member ends on first or outer side 225.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 11A to 13B, belt member 206 alsoincludes a first end 230 a, which may also be a fastener end, and asecond end 230 b, which may also be a free end. First and second ends230 a and 230 b may comprise portions of rear portion 224 of belt member206 since they are positioned generally at rear portion 211 of garment204.

As described above with respect to belt member 20, belt member 206 maycomprise any number of suitable materials, including a syntheticpolymer, such as nylon, or a natural-fiber material, such as cotton.

Belt fastener 208 may comprise a buckle as depicted, but in otherembodiments, may comprise a hook-and-loop system, buttons, zipper, orother suitable fasteners capable of connecting portions of belt member206, such as ends 330 a and 330 b, to form a closed loop around garment204 in a second or closed/fastened configuration. In an embodiment,fastener 208 is connected to first end 330 a, and second or free end 330b is inserted through, and connected with, fastener 208.

In an embodiment, and as depicted, belt fastener 208 is positionedadjacent rear portion 211 of body portion 210 of garment 210 in thedepicted closed/fastened configuration.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 8A to 10B and 12A-13B, belt member 206may be attached to garment 204 at multiple attachment points or regions240. In the depicted embodiment, belt member 206 is attached to garment204 at three regions 240, namely, left attachment region 240 a, rightattachment regions 240 b, and front attachment region 240 c. Althoughthree attachment regions 240 are depicted and described, it will beunderstood that more or fewer attachment regions may be used.

Each attachment region 240 is an area of the garment-with-gait-belt 200where a portion of belt member 206 is attached or fastened to garment204. Belt member 206 may be permanently attached or affixed to garment204, such as by being sewn or stitched, or otherwise permanentlyattached. In other embodiments, belt member 206 may be detachablyconnected in a manner that causes belt member 206 to be very stronglysecured to garment 204 such that belt member 206 is not easily dislodgedor removed during use and without intention.

In an embodiment, and as depicted, each attachment region is formed bybelt member 206 being attached or fastened to garment 204 via stitchingor sewing a portion of belt member 206 to garment 204, such that beltmember 206 is permanently attached to garment 204.

In other embodiments, belt member 206 may be securely, but detachablyattached to garment 204 at attachment regions 240 via hook-and-loopfasteners, buttons, or other fastening or attachment means capable ofsecuring a positon of belt member 206 at a particular portion of garment204.

In the embodiment depicted, each attachment region 240 forms a generallyrectangular shape, with a length longer than a width, so as to securelyfasten belt 206 to garment 204.

In the embodiment depicted, attachment region 240 a is where left-sideportion 226 a of belt member 206 is attached to left-side portion 214 aof garment 204, and attachment region 240 c is where a front portion ofbelt member 206 is attached to a center front portion 209 of garment204.

In the embodiment depicted, and referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, beltmember 206 is not attached or fastened to rear portion 211 of garment204. More specifically, belt member 206 is not attached to rear portion211 of garment 204 from attachment region 240 a to attachment region 240b, circumferentially along rear portion 211 of garment 204. As such, inthe fastened position as depicted, a void or space 250 may be definedbetween belt member 206 and rear portion 211 between attachment regions240 a and 240 b. It will be understood that although the term “void” and“space” are used, belt member 206 may actually be touching rear portion211, such that a void or space is not formed without an assistingindividual, such as a therapist inserts a hand between the belt member206 and rear portion 211 so as to grasp belt member 206.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, garment-with-gait-belt 200 is depicted ina second, unfastened configuration. In this configuration, fastener 208is not fastened in front of garment 204, but rather is unfastened, andbelt member 206 and fastener 208 are positioned in front of garment 204.In an embodiment, and as depicted, none, or substantially none, of belt202, or belt member 206 is positioned adjacent rear portion 211 ofgarment 204. Rather, all, or substantially all, of belt 202, includingbelt member 206 and belt fastener 208 are positioned at front portion209 or sides 214 of garment 204 via belt-member fasteners.

In an embodiment, belt member 206 may include one or more belt-memberfasteners 252, as described very briefly above, that are configured toattach either or both of first and second rear portions 224 a and 224 bof rear belt-member portion 224, to front portion 209 of garment 204.

In an embodiment, belt-member fasteners 252 may comprise hook-and-loopfasteners, buttons, clips and so on. Belt-member fasteners 252 may eachbe a single part or portion, such as a one-piece clip, connected toeither a rear portion 224 or connected to front portion 222.Alternatively, each belt-member faster 252 may include multiple parts orportions, one portion connected to a rear portion 224 a or 224 b, andanother portion connected to front portion 222 of belt member 206. Insuch an embodiment, belt-member fastener 252 may comprise a hook portionon the front or rear of the belt, and a loop portion, on the rear orfront of the belt; in another embodiment, belt member fastener 252 maycomprise a button and buttonhole; in another embodiment, belt-memberfastener 252 may comprise a clip portion and a clip-receiving portion.The above descriptions and embodiments of belt-member fastener 252 arenot intended to be limiting.

In the second, unfastened configuration, rear portion 224 a may befolded back over part of front portion 222, and rear portion 224 b mayalso be folded back over another part of front portion 222. The foldingpoint may be at or near an attachment region 240, such as at or nearattachment region 240 a or 240 b.

This second, unfastened configuration, wherein one or both of rearportions 224 a and 224 b are secured to front portion 222, may resultafter an assisting individual, such as a therapist, has already assisteda patient in moving position or location while wearing thegarment-with-gait-belt, and unfastens gait belt 202. In particular, theunfastened configuration with rear portions 224 a and 224 b with beltends 230 secured to front portion 209 of garment 204 may be particularlyuseful after a patient has been moved to a seated position, such as in achair or bed, so that the patient may continue wearing garment 204 withbelt 202 while being fully seated against a chair back, or lying fullyor partially prone on a bed without rear portions 224 a, 224 b, and beltfastener 208 becoming trapped or positioned between the patient and thechair or bed, or otherwise tangled. Such an unfastened configurationwith rear portions 224 a and 224 b of belt member 206 secured to frontportion 209 of garment 204 not only avoids causing discomfort or pain tothe patient, but also allows the assisting individual to more easilyremove (or conversely put on) the garment-with-gait-belt 200.

Embodiments of the present invention also includes methods of usinggarment-with-gait-belt 100 and 200.

In an embodiment, a method of using a garment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200includes one or more of the following steps:

1) Providing a garment 204 with an integrated gait belt 202, such asgarment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200;

2) Instructing an assisting individual on use of thegarment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200, including how to assist a patientwith putting on or donning the garment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200;

3) Assisting the patient with inserting the patient's arms into sleevesof the garment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200;

4) Releasing a first rear portion 224 a and/or a second rear portion 224b of a belt member 206 with an attached belt fastener 208, from frontportion 209 of garment 204;

5) Positioning first and second rear portions 219 a and 219 b so as toclose a gap between first and second rear portions 219 a and 219 b;

6) Fastening a first rear portion 224 a of belt member 206 to a secondrear portion 224 b using belt fastener 208;

7) Inserting a hand between rear portion 224 of belt member 206 andgrasping rear portion 224 so as to assist the individual wearinggarment-with-gait-belt 100 or 200.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have beendescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitableembodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description mayomit certain information known to those skilled in the art. Thepreceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to thespecific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can bereasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment with an integrated gait belt,comprising: a rear-opening garment, including: a top portion, a bottomportion, a front portion, a first side portion, a second side portion,and a rear portion having a first side and a second side, the first sideincluding a first edge that extends from the top portion of the garmentto the bottom portion of the garment, the second side including a secondedge that extends from the top portion of the garment to the bottomportion of the garment; and a gait belt permanently attached to thegarment, the gait belt including: a belt member having a front portion,a first rear portion and a second rear portion; and a belt fastenerconnected to the first rear portion of the belt member; wherein thefront portion of the belt member is attached to at least one of thefront portion, the first side portion and the second side portion, ofthe garment, at one or more attachment regions, such that the frontportion of the belt member is unable to move relative to the garment atthe one or more attachment regions; and wherein in a fastenedconfiguration, the belt fastener connects the first rear portion of thebelt member to the second rear portion of the belt member, and the beltfastener is located adjacent to the rear portion of the garment.
 2. Thegarment with an integrated gait belt of claim 1, wherein the frontportion of the belt member is attached to the first and second sideportions of the garment and is sewn to the garment.
 3. The garment withan integrated gait belt of claim 1, wherein the wherein the first rearportion of the belt member and the second rear portion of the beltmember are not attached to the rear portion of the garment.
 4. Thegarment with an integrated gait belt of claim 1, wherein the garmentdefines a head opening forming a “V” shape in the front portion of thegarment.
 5. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 1, furthercomprising a belt-member fastener configured to connect the first rearportion of the belt member to the front portion of the belt member, thebelt-member fastener connected to the first rear portion of the beltmember or connected to a front portion of the belt member.
 6. Thegarment with an integrated gait belt of claim 5, wherein in anunfastened configuration, the first rear portion of the belt member isconnected to the front portion of the belt member at the front portionof the garment.
 7. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 6,wherein in the unfastened configuration, the first rear portion of thebelt member is folded over a portion of the front portion of the beltmember.
 8. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 1, whereinthe garment comprises a natural-fiber material and the belt membercomprises a synthetic material.
 9. The garment with an integrated gaitbelt of claim 1, wherein the belt member has an outer side and an innerside, and the inner side of the front portion of the belt member is incontact with the front portion of the garment, and the inner side of therear portion of the belt member is configured to be in contact with therear portion of the garment in the fastened configuration, and the outerside of the rear portion of the belt member is configured to be incontact with the outer side of the front portion of the belt member inan unfastened configuration.
 10. A garment with an integrated gait belt,comprising: a rear-opening garment, including: a front portion, and arear portion; and a gait belt attached to the garment, the gait beltincluding: a belt member having a front portion secured to the frontportion of the garment such that the belt member is immovable relativeto the garment, and having a first rear portion and a second rearportion; a belt fastener connected to the first rear portion of the beltmember, the belt fastener configured to fasten the first rear portion ofthe belt member to the second rear portion of the belt member; and abelt-member fastener configured to connect the first rear portion of thebelt member to the front portion of the belt member, the belt-memberfastener connected to the first rear portion of the belt member orconnected to a front portion of the belt member.
 11. The garment with anintegrated gait belt of claim 10, wherein in a fastened configuration,the belt fastener connects the first rear portion of the belt member tothe second rear portion of the belt member, and the belt fastener islocated adjacent to the rear portion of the garment.
 12. The garmentwith an integrated gait belt of claim 10, wherein in an unfastenedconfiguration, the first rear portion of the belt member is connected tothe front portion of the belt member at the front portion of thegarment.
 13. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 12,wherein in the unfastened configuration, the first rear portion of thebelt member is folded over a portion of the front portion of the beltmember.
 14. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 10,wherein the front portion of the belt member is attached to at least oneof the front portion, the first side portion and the second sideportion, of the garment, at one or more attachment regions, such thatthe front portion of the belt member is unable to move relative to thegarment at the one or more attachment regions.
 15. The garment with anintegrated gait belt of claim 10, wherein the rear portion includes afirst side and a second side, the first side having a first edge thatextends from the top portion of the garment to the bottom portion of thegarment, the second side including a second edge that extends from thetop portion of the garment to the bottom portion of the garment.
 16. Thegarment with an integrated gait belt of claim 10, wherein thebelt-member fastener is one of a hook-and-loop fastener, a clip and abutton.
 17. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 10,wherein the first rear portion of the belt member and the second rearportion of the belt member are not attached to the rear portion of thegarment.
 18. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 10,wherein the belt member is permanently attached, and no portion ofeither the first rear portion of the belt member and the second rearportion of the belt member are attached to the rear portion of thegarment.
 19. The garment with an integrated gait belt of claim 10,wherein the garment comprises a natural-fiber material and the beltmember comprises a synthetic material.
 20. A garment with an integratedgait belt, comprising: a rear-opening garment, including: a top portion,a bottom portion, a front portion, a first side portion, a second sideportion, and a rear portion having a first side and a second side, thefirst side including a first edge that extends from the top portion ofthe garment to the bottom portion of the garment, the second sideincluding a second edge that extends from the top portion of the garmentto the bottom portion of the garment; and a gait belt detachablyattached to the garment, the gait belt including: a belt member having afront portion, a first rear portion and a second rear portion; and abelt fastener connected to the first rear portion of the belt member;wherein the front portion of the belt member is attached to at least oneof the front portion, the first side portion and the second sideportion, of the garment, at one or more attachment regions, such thatthe front portion of the belt member is unable to move relative to thegarment at the one or more attachment regions; and wherein in a fastenedconfiguration, the belt fastener connects the first rear portion of thebelt member to the second rear portion of the belt member, and the beltfastener is located adjacent to the rear portion of the garment.